- Ngah Manga scores twice as Indomitable Lionesses secure historic first WAFCON title after three previous final defeats
RABAT, Morocco: Cameroon finally ended its long wait for a Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title, defeating tournament debutants Malawi 3-0 on Sunday to lift the continental trophy for the first time.
Marie Ngah Manga scored twice with powerful headers, while Naomi Eto added the other goal as the Indomitable Lionesses produced a commanding performance to secure their first victory in a WAFCON final after three previous defeats.
Cameroon had lost each of its previous three appearances in the final—all against record 10-time champions Nigeria—and had failed to qualify for the previous edition of the tournament.
“It feels like a dream because Cameroon have been working so hard to have this moment, and today, for us to be champions of Africa, is a very, very wonderful thing,” Ngah Manga said after the historic triumph.
Ngah Manga Leads Cameroon to Historic Triumph
Malawi made the brighter start, but Cameroon quickly seized control.
Ngah Manga opened the scoring in the 21st minute, heading the ball home from close range after goalkeeper Mercy Sikelo had denied Eto.
Moments later, Eto doubled Cameroon’s advantage with a superb individual effort. With her back to goal, she turned brilliantly before sending a low shot inside the right post to give the Lionesses a 2-0 lead.
Cameroon continued to threaten, while Malawi struggled to find a response.
Ngah Manga then completed her brace on a swift counterattack. Eto reached the ball ahead of Sikelo and delivered an excellent cross, allowing Ngah Manga to head home her fifth goal of the tournament and effectively put the final beyond Malawi’s reach.
Cameroon’s substitutes rushed onto the pitch to celebrate with their teammates as the final minutes ticked away.
Malawi’s Chawinga Sisters Unable to Break Through
Malawi attempted to fight back after the interval, with star sisters Tabitha and Temwa Chawinga leading the attack.
Tabitha appealed for a penalty after going down inside the area, but a VAR review ruled that no spot kick was warranted.
She later forced a strong save from Cameroon goalkeeper Michaely Bihina, while Temwa came close to scoring from the rebound.
Despite their efforts, Malawi could not find a breakthrough against a disciplined Cameroon defense.
Onguéné Celebrates at Last
Cameroon veteran Gabrielle Aboudi Onguéné came on during stoppage time and briefly appeared to add a fourth goal, only for the effort to be ruled out for offside.
For the 37-year-old forward, however, the night still represented a remarkable redemption.
Onguéné was part of the Cameroon side that lost the 2016 final to Nigeria on home soil. This time, despite the disallowed goal, she was able to celebrate Cameroon’s long-awaited continental triumph.
Infantino and Motsepe Attend Final
FIFA President Gianni Infantino attended the final alongside CAF President Patrice Motsepe.
Infantino later joined Motsepe in presenting medals to the leading teams. Algeria defeated hosts Morocco in the third-place playoff on Saturday.
Infantino also posed for photographs with Motsepe and Samuel Eto’o, president of the Cameroon Football Federation, alongside Cameroon forward Monique Ngock, who received the tournament’s Player of the Tournament award.
Cameroon’s victory marks a landmark moment for women’s football in the country, ending years of near misses and establishing the Indomitable Lionesses as continental champions at last.
BY: The Times Union
